Pashtun nationalist leader Mehmood Khan Achakzai leads on two national assembly seats NA-259 Quetta city and NA-262 Killa Abdullah-Chaman.

According to initial results coming out of polling stations in Quetta city, Mehmood Achakzai seems to be in a better position than his arch rival Jamiatul Ulema-i-Islam (F).

JUI-F candidate Senator Hafiz Hamdullah is lagging behind Achakzai in terms of getting votes. Achakzai's criticism of Hazara and Punjabi's being killed by militants attracted more votes in his favor.

Most of the settlers voted for Achazkai rather than clergymen. Achakzai has also recieved more votes as compared to JUI-F candidate Qari Sher Ali in his home town constituency Chaman-Killa Abdullah.

For the first time in the democratic history of Pakistan, an overwhelming majority of women in Pashtun dominated areas turned out to vote in the polling stations. Women used their votes independently in Pashtun dominated areas despite strictly veiled tribal culture.

Opinion

Editorial

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